“He loved to get up in front of people and tell them to follow their dreams.”

These are the words Leslie Coules uses to describe her son Adam, as she and the rest of the Coules family prepare to participate in the Journey to Conquer Cancer – 5K Run or Walk on Sunday (June 22).

They are walking for Head for a Cure in Adam’s memory and to raise funds to promote education and research for brain tumours through the Adam Coules Legacy Fund at the Gerry and Nancy Pencer Brain Tumor Centre.

Adam’s story began in December 2006, when he unexpectedly had a seizure. He was taken to Toronto General where investigations revealed a large mass in his brain.

Adam was diagnosed with a grade 2 oligodendroglioma brain tumour. When the Coules were told, they were in shock, as there had been no prior symptoms to indicate the diagnosis.

Looking back, Adam’s parents, Dave and Leslie, recall not only their shock and worry, but the network of services and staff at University Health Network (UHN), a joint effort of Toronto hospitals, that made the situation more manageable. Within 48 hours of being diagnosed, Adam, who had the option of surgery to remove part of the tumour, had been put in contact with a neurosurgeon at Toronto Western Hospital.

Following surgery, Adam’s care was transferred to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and his post-operative cancer care was provided at the Pencer Centre where they encountered world-class oncologists and clinical staff.

Adam’s father Dave said, “It is clear that at every level, these individuals have made a commitment to the care of patients living with brain tumours. They are committed to supporting patients and families through all phases of their journey.”

Adam wanted to give back, so a desire to promote research and education about brain tumours was born.

He joined join the Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) at the Pencer Centre, which exists as a means to allow patients to have a say in their treatment, deciding which services are needed and where funds should be allocated to support patient care.

“He always worked hard and he directed all his time and effort into things that he was passionate about. At the top of his list was Head for a Cure and being part of The Princess Margaret team at Pencer,” says Adam’s younger sister, Erika.

“He loved attending PFAC, knowing what he was involved in was making a difference,” says Leslie. “Adam was most proud of the new patient examination tables in the Pencer Centre treatment rooms provided through PFAC funding.”

According to Erika, it all came from his competitive nature. “I remember his tenacity and drive to not only bring awareness to patient care and treatment, but also to be the top Head for a Cure fundraiser each year.”

After undergoing surgery and the radiation phase of the clinical trial Adam was able to enjoy four years, which he made count. This included travelling to Southeast Asia with his fiancée Nicole and becoming more involved in raising awareness for brain cancer.

Not long after Adam finished radiation, the Coules family participated in its first 5K Run or Walk in 2007 and the ‘A Team’ was born. It has been a commitment of not only the family but the broader network of friends that has provided enduring success in the efforts of the A Team to support Head for a Cure.

This team spirit has continued every year since then, including the past two years since Adam’s death in August 2012 at age 28.

“We remain passionate and committed to raising funds as part of Adam’s legacy,” says Leslie.

In January 2011, four years after his surgery and radiation, the tumour returned. Undeterred, Adam remained fully active within PFAC in his continued commitment to support others with brain cancer.

Adam took pride in attending events that would help raise awareness for research and treatment for brain cancer patients like him. His sister Lauren also notes how Adam’s passion to help others in this regard was truly important to him, fully knowing that he was unlikely to benefit directly.

His spirit of commitment to others came full circle after Adam’s passing, when the Pencer Centre approached the A-Team with the idea of a research grant in Adam’s name.

The Adam Coules Research Grant, which provides up to $50,000 in funding for basic and clinical research related to brain tumours, was thus established.

In its first year, in 2013, the grant was awarded to three different projects with $50,000 going to each. Dr. Shahrzad Jalali from Toronto Western Hospital was announced as the recipient for 2014.

Participants in the Head for a Cure event Sunday will have the opportunity to support the Pencer Centre at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in continuing their research and treatment for individuals and families living with brain cancer. For the Coules family, it is an event that continues to honour Adam’s memory and his legacy of helping others on their journey.

— Emmi Soeder is a Special Events intern with The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation